Sedans are a dwindling breed of cars that still appeals to true driving enthusiasts but offers very less market value in today’s day and age. The advent of so many compact and mid-size SUVs have also had a major impact on the popularity of sedans. Buyers today prefer the tall stance and high ground clearance of SUVs over the low-slung and road-hugging dynamics of a sedan.
Among the few options left, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is one of the well known names. However, recent reports suggest that this model is living on borrowed time. According to Autocar India, Maruti will most likely phase out the Ciaz by April this year. The report further reveals that Maruti will not replace the Ciaz with a new sedan which effectively means the largest car manufacturer in India exiting the mid-size sedan space.
Let us look at the possible reasons for the Indo-Japanese carmaker to arrive at this decision.
Slowdown in sales
The sedan sales have dropped significantly over the last 4-5 years. In 2015, sedans made up 20% of India’s car market. By 2024, their share had fallen below 10%, while SUVs surged to over 50% of total passenger vehicle sales. Consequently, the midsize sedan segment, once dominated by brands like Honda, Hyundai, and Maruti, has seen a significant decline. As of now, the mid-size sedan segment consists of models like Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Volkswagen Virtus, and Skoda Slavia, besides the Ciaz.
After peaking at 1,73,374 units per annum in FY2018, the sales of mid-size sedans dropped to 1,73,374 units in FY2024. Moreover, the sales of Ciaz have been the lowest in its segment. Maruti sold 5,861 units of Ciaz for the first nine months of FY25 – a YoY decline of 34 percent. The sedan was able to generate only triple-digit monthly sales figures: 659 units in October, 597 in November, and 464 in December 2024.
No major updates
After the initial success, the Ciaz lost its steam to other models in this segment. First launched in 2014 as a replacement for the Maruti SX4, the Ciaz has received no major upgrade in over a decade of its existence. It received its last update in 2018 in the form of a minor facelift. As a result, the Ciaz has remained devoid of modern features that rivals including City, Verna, Virtus, and Slavia offer.
The above-mentioned models were periodically updated gaining modern features like electric sunroof, digital instrument clusters, and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Lack of engine options
In its current avatar, the Ciaz was offered solely with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that came paired with either a 5-speed manual or an archaic 4-speed torque converter automatic unit. The petrol mill not only lacks punch but also has some refinement issues which owners have complained about over the years.
Maruti also offered the Ciaz with a diesel engine briefly. The Ciaz gained an oil burner in 2019 when Maruti introduced its in-house developed 1.5-litre DDiS diesel engine. Tragically, Maruti quit the diesel market with the 1.5-litre diesel unit not compatible with the much stricter BS6 emission norms. Further, Maruti didn’t bother to add a turbocharged petrol engine or strong hybrid powertrain to the Ciaz which made it a very unpopular choice among buyers seeking either performance or mileage.
Source: Autocar India